Imogene Steer celebrates 100 years

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

FRIENDSHIP, St Ann:

IMOGENE STEER, affectionately called Mama Tie, celebrated her 100th birthday last Saturday in the quaint mountainous village of Friendship, a few miles south-west of Moneague in St Ann.

Dozens of relatives, along with church members and friends from near and far, climbed the steep hill to Mama Tie's house to celebrate with her, even as the showers came down briefly.

Blessed with 13 children, she has lived to see her 52 grandchildren, 128 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Although not all of them were present on Saturday, there were representatives from all generations.

Daughter, Gladys Jones, who resides in Kingston, was elated that her mother had reached the important milestone of 100 years.

"I am elated because, how many people live to see this age? I am excited to see her reach her hundred. The only thing that bothers her is her sight. She's not seeing, but she hears very well. She listens to her radio and she comments, and when I stay in Kingston and talk to her on the phone, it's like she's sitting beside you," Jones said.

"To God be the glory! We're really excited today - really, really excited to see her reach a hundred," she added.

MANY WELL-WISHERS

The happy birthday wishes were plentiful and came from her children and other relatives, church members, and community members. Poems were read, songs were sung, prayers were said, and in the end, the skies opened and rain fell.

Mama Tie then got some help from her younger brother, 82-year-old William, to cut her birthday cake.

The two are the only surviving siblings of 10 children - eight boys and two girls.

Among the many people present was Lloyd Garrick, councillor for the Moneague Division, in which Mama Tie resides. He was happy to be part of the celebration.

"It's very good to be here. I made sure I'm here. On behalf of the division, I brought a little gift for her because this is a milestone, and we must celebrate milestones like these," Garrick said.

"She has lived to see a hundred and still going strong because few persons in their 90s, 80s can sit up so long and listen and smile. She has served her generation well, and I guess that history will not forget her and her children, and the generation to come will call her blessed. It's a good sharing. The community, friends, relatives - all have come together for the occasion."

After all the activities, which took place under a tent, she was taken back inside.

That's where The Gleaner caught up with her. However, Mama Tie only spoke briefly.

'Thank God, I'm not feeling too bad," she responded when asked. She said it was good to live to see a hundred years, but then ended the conversation by saying:

"One day you come talk with me. Sometimes I have some things written down." I promised her that I would. "Thank you very much," she responded

Another daughter, Herma, who is her caregiver, said her mother is in generally good health.

"She is in good health; She moves. We lead her around because she is blind, but she can walk," Herma told The Gleaner.